MULTIPLE ACCOUNT FUNDS TRANSFER IN A WAGERING ENVIRONMENT

• US 20080113776A1
• Filed: 11/09/2007
• Published: 05/15/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 11/13/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Sg Gaming, Inc. (Scientific Games Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Bally Gaming Incorporated (Scientific Games Corporation)
• Inventors: Sommer, John
• Application Number:
  US11/938,242
• Publication Number:
  US 20080113776A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/25
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3248 involving non-monetary media of fixed value, e.g. casino chips of fixed value

Abstract

There is disclosed a system, apparatus, and method for cashless gaming. A casino-issued player code is received from a gaming server. A request from the gaming device is received at the gaming server to withdraw a first amount of funds from a first account of a first financial and a second amount of funds from a second account of a second financial institution. The request includes a password. The password is verified. The account numbers are identified with the casino issued player codes. The account numbers are not communicated via the gaming device. Withdrawal transactions with the financial institutions are initiated based on the account numbers. The funds are received in a player account associated with the casino-issued player code. The funds are converted to credits. The credits are transferred to the gaming device.

Claims

1. A method for cashless gaming, the method comprising:

receiving a casino-issued player code from a gaming device at a gaming server;

receiving a request from the gaming device at the gaming server to withdraw a first amount of funds from a first account of a first financial institution and a second amount of funds from a second account of a second financial institution, wherein the request includes a password;

verifying the password;

identifying a first account number of the first financial institution and the second account number of the second financial institution with at least the casino-issued player code, wherein the first account number and the second account number are not communicated via the gaming device;

initiating a withdrawal transaction with the first financial institution based at least on the first account number;

initiating a withdrawal transaction with the second financial institution based at least on the second account number;

receiving the first amount of funds and the second amount of funds in a player account associated with the casino-issued player code;

converting the first amount of funds and the second amount of funds to credits; and

transferring the credits to the gaming device.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

in response to a win of a jackpot at the gaming device, sending an offer from the gaming server to the gaming device to purchase a goods with funds from the jackpot, the first account, and the second account.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the offer is based at least on the casino-issued player code.

4. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

receiving acceptance of the offer at the gaming server from the gaming device;

initiating a withdrawal transaction with the first financial institution responsive to the acceptance;

initiating a withdrawal transaction with the second financial institution responsive to the acceptance; and

transferring funds from the player account to a seller of the goods.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising:

in response to the withdrawal transaction with the first financial institution being denied, sending an offer from the gaming server to the gaming device to purchase the goods based on funds from a combination of the jackpot, the second account, and a third account of a third financial institution.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

causing the gaming device to display the funds transferred from the first account and the second account to the player account.

24. The method of claim 2, wherein the goods is as a pair of tickets to a show.

25. The method of claim 2, wherein the goods is food.

7. A method for cashless gaming, the method comprising:

receiving an identifier from a gaming device at a gaming server, wherein the identifier is issued by an intermediary;

receiving a request from the gaming device at the gaming server to withdraw a first amount of funds from a first account at a first financial institution and a second amount of funds from a second account at a second financial institution, wherein the request includes the identifier and a password, wherein a first account number associated with the first account and a second account number associated with the second account are not communicated via the gaming device;

verifying the password;

requesting the intermediary to initiate a withdrawal transaction with the first financial institution, wherein the requesting transfers the identifier from the gaming server to the intermediary; and

requesting the intermediary to initiate a withdrawal transaction with the second financial institution, wherein the requesting transfers the identifier from the gaming server to the intermediary.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising:

in response to a win of a jackpot at the gaming device, sending an offer from the gaming server to the gaming device to purchase a service with funds from the jackpot, the first account, and the second account.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the offer is based at least on the identifier.

10. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

receiving acceptance of the offer at the gaming server from the gaming device;

initiating a withdrawal transaction with the first financial institution responsive to the acceptance; and

initiating a withdrawal transaction with the second financial institution responsive to the acceptance.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

in response to the withdrawal transaction with the second financial institution being denied, sending an offer from the gaming server to the gaming device to purchase a service with funds from the jackpot, the first account, the second account, and a third account of a third financial institution.

12. The method of claim 7, further comprising:

causing the gaming device to display the funds transferred from the first account and the second account to the player account.

13. A method for cashless gaming, the method comprising:

receiving a casino-issued player code from a gaming device at a gaming server that is associated with an identifier issued by an intermediary;

receiving a request from the gaming device at the gaming server to deposit a first amount of funds to a first account at a first financial institution and a second amount of funds to a second account at a second financial institution, wherein the request includes a password, and wherein a first account number associated with the first account and a second account number associated with the second account are not communicated via the gaming device;

verifying the password;

causing the intermediary to initiate a deposit transaction with the first financial institution, wherein the causing transfers the identifier from the gaming server to the intermediary;

causing the intermediary to initiate a deposit transaction with the second financial institution, wherein the causing transfers the identifier from the gaming server to the intermediary;

receiving credits from the gaming device to a player account associated with the casino-issued player code;

converting the credits to funds; and

transferring the first amount of funds from the player account to the first account and the second amount of funds from the player account to the second account.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

sending an offer from the gaming server to the gaming device to transfer funds from the player account to both the first account and the second account in response to a win of a jackpot at the gaming device, wherein the win of the jackpot is greater than a sum of a balance owed on the first account and the second account.

15. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

in response to a win of a jackpot at the gaming device, sending an offer from the gaming server to the gaming device to purchase a goods with funds from the jackpot, the first account, and the second account.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the offer is based at least on the casino-issued player code.

17. The method of claim 15, further comprising:

receiving acceptance of the offer at the gaming server from the gaming device;

initiating a withdrawal transaction with the first financial institution responsive to the acceptance; and

initiating a withdrawal transaction with the second financial institution responsive to the acceptance.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

in response to the withdrawal transaction with the second financial institution being denied, sending an offer from the gaming server to the gaming device to purchase a goods with funds from the jackpot, the first account, the second account, and a third account of a third financial institution.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein the value of the goods are less than twice the value of the jackpot.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein the first account is a credit card account, the second account is an ATM account, and the third account is a checking account.

21. A method for cashless gaming, the method comprising:

receiving a casino-issued player code from a gaming device at a gaming server;

receiving a request from the gaming device at the gaming server to withdraw a first amount of funds from a first account of a first financial institution and a second amount of funds from a second account of a second financial institution, wherein the request includes a password;

verifying the password;

identifying a first account number of the first financial institution and the second account number of the second financial institution with at least the casino-issued player code, wherein the first account number and the second account number are not communicated via the gaming device;

initiating a withdrawal transaction with the first financial institution based at least on the first account number;

initiating a withdrawal transaction with the second financial institution based at least on the second account number;

receiving the first amount of funds and the second amount of funds in a player account associated with the casino-issued player code;

converting the first amount of funds and the second amount of funds to credits;

transferring the credits to the gaming device; and

causing the gaming device to display the balance of the first account and the second account periodically.

22. A method for cashless gaming, the method comprising:

receiving a casino-issued player code from a gaming device at a gaming server;

receiving a request from the gaming device at the gaming server to withdraw a first amount of funds from a first account of a first financial institution and a second amount of funds from a second account of a second financial institution, wherein the request includes a password;

verifying the password;

identifying a first account number of the first financial institution and the second account number of the second financial institution with at least the casino-issued player code, wherein the first account number and the second account number are not communicated via the gaming device;

initiating a withdrawal transaction with the first financial institution based at least on the first account number;

initiating a withdrawal transaction with the second financial institution based at least on the second account number;

receiving the first amount of funds and the second amount of funds in a player account associated with the casino-issued player code;

converting the first amount of funds and the second amount of funds to credits;

transferring the credits to the gaming device; and

causing the gaming device to display the balance of the first account and the second account persistently.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the display of the balance is preapproved by the player.

26. A system for cashless gaming, the system comprising:

a gaming device; and

a gaming server having a processor, a memory, and a storage device, wherein the memory is coupled with the processor,

wherein the gaming server receives a casino-issued player identifier and a password from the gaming device at the gaming server,

wherein the gaming server receives a request from the gaming device at the gaming server to withdraw a first amount of funds from a first account of a first financial institution and a second amount of funds from a second account at a second financial institution, wherein the password is not stored by the first financial institution and is not stored by the second financial institution,

wherein the gaming server identifies a first account number of the first financial institution and a second account number of the second financial institution with at least the casino-issued player identifier, wherein the first account number and the second account number are not communicated via the gaming device,

wherein the gaming server initiates a withdrawal transaction with the first financial institution based at least on the first account number,

wherein the gaming server initiates a withdrawal transaction with the second financial institution based at least on the second account number, and

wherein the gaming server receives the first amount and the second amount in a player account associated with the casino-issued player identifier.

27. The system of claim 26, wherein the gaming server sends an offer from the gaming server to the gaming device to purchase a goods with funds from the jackpot, the first account, and the second account responsive to a win of a jackpot at the gaming device.

28. The system of claim 27, wherein the offer is based at least on the casino-issued player identifier.

29. The system of claim 27, wherein the gaming server receives acceptance of the offer at the gaming server from the gaming device, wherein the gaming server initiates a withdrawal transaction with the first financial institution responsive to the acceptance, wherein the gaming server initiates a withdrawal transaction with the second financial institution responsive to the acceptance, and wherein the gaming server transfers funds from the player account to a seller of the goods.

30. The system of claim 26, wherein the gaming server sends an offer from the gaming server to the gaming device to purchase the goods based on funds from the jackpot, the second account, and a third account of a third financial institution responsive to the withdrawal transaction with the first financial institution being denied.

31. The system of claim 26, wherein the gaming server causes the gaming device to display the funds transferred from the first account and the second account to the player account.

49. The system of claim 27, wherein the goods is as a pair of tickets to a show.

50. The system of claim 27, wherein the goods is food.

32. A system for cashless gaming, the system comprising:

a gaming device; and

a gaming server having a processor, a memory, and a storage device, wherein the memory is coupled with the processor,

wherein the gaming server receives an identifier from the gaming device at the gaming server, wherein the identifier is issued by a financial transaction provider,

wherein the gaming server receives a request from the gaming device at the gaming server to withdraw a first amount of funds from a first account at a first financial institution and a second amount of funds from a second account at a second financial institution, wherein the request includes a password, wherein a first account number associated with the first account and a second account number associated with the second account are not communicated via the gaming device, and wherein the password is not stored by the first financial institution and is not stored by the second financial institution,

wherein the gaming server requests that the financial transaction provider initiate a withdrawal transaction with the first financial institution, wherein the requesting transfers the identifier from the gaming server to the financial transaction provider, and

wherein the gaming server requests that the financial transaction provider initiate a withdrawal transaction with the second financial institution, wherein the requesting transfers the identifier from the gaming server to the financial transaction provider.

33. The system of claim 32, wherein the gaming server sends an offer from the gaming server to the gaming device to purchase a service with funds from the jackpot, the first account, and the second account responsive to a win of a jackpot at the gaming device.

34. The system of claim 33, wherein the offer is based at least on the identifier.

35. The system of claim 33, wherein the gaming server receives acceptance of the offer at the gaming server from the gaming device, wherein the gaming server initiates a withdrawal transaction with the first financial institution responsive to the acceptance;

and wherein the gaming server initiates a withdrawal transaction with the second financial institution responsive to the acceptance.

36. The system of claim 32, wherein the gaming server sends an offer from the gaming server to the gaming device to purchase a service with funds from the jackpot, the first account, the second account, and a third account of a third financial institution responsive to the withdrawal transaction with the second financial institution being denied.

37. The system of claim 32, wherein the gaming server causes the gaming device to display the amount of funds transferred from the first account and the second account to the player account.

38. A system for cashless gaming, the system comprising:

a gaming device; and

a gaming server having a processor, a memory, and a storage device, wherein the memory is coupled with the processor,

wherein the gaming server receives a casino-issued player identifier from the gaming device at the gaming server that is associated with an identifier issued by a financial transaction provider,

wherein the gaming server receives a request from the gaming device at the gaming server to deposit a first amount of funds to a first account at a first financial institution and a second amount of funds to a second account at a second financial institution, wherein the request includes a password, wherein a first account number associated with first account and a second account number associated with the second account are not communicated via the gaming device, and wherein the password is unknown to both the first financial institution and the second financial institution,

wherein the gaming server causes the financial transaction provider to initiate a deposit transaction with the first financial institution, wherein the causing transfers the identifier from the gaming server to the financial transaction provider, and

wherein the gaming server causes the financial transaction provider to initiate a deposit transaction with the second financial institution based at least on the identifier, wherein the causing transfers the identifier from the gaming server to the financial transaction provider.

39. The system of claim 38, wherein the gaming server sends an offer from the gaming server to the gaming device to transfer funds from the player account to both the first account and the second account in response to a win of a jackpot at the gaming device, wherein the win of the jackpot is greater than a sum of a balance owed on the first account and the second account.

40. The system of claim 38, wherein the gaming server sends an offer from the gaming server to the gaming device to purchase a goods with funds from the jackpot, the first account, and the second account responsive to a win of a jackpot at the gaming device.

41. The system of claim 39, wherein the offer is based at least on the casino-issued player identifier.

42. The system of claim 38, wherein the gaming server receives acceptance of the offer at the gaming server from the gaming device, wherein the gaming server initiates a withdrawal transaction with the first financial institution responsive to the acceptance, and wherein the gaming server initiates a withdrawal transaction with the second financial institution responsive to the acceptance.

43. The system of claim 38, wherein the gaming server sends an offer from the gaming server to the gaming device to purchase a goods with funds from the jackpot, the first account, the second account, and a third account of a third financial institution responsive to the withdrawal transaction with the second financial institution being denied.

44. The system of claim 38, wherein the value of the goods are less than twice the value of the jackpot.

45. The system of claim 38, wherein the first account is a credit card account, the second account is an ATM account, and the third account is a checking account.

46. A system for cashless gaming, the system comprising:

a gaming device; and

a gaming server having a processor, a memory, and a storage device, wherein the memory is coupled with the processor,

wherein the gaming server receives a casino-issued player identifier and a password from the gaming device at the gaming server,

wherein the gaming server receives a request from the gaming device at the gaming server to withdraw a first amount of funds from a first account of a first financial institution and a second amount of funds from a second account at a second financial institution, wherein the password is not stored by the first financial institution and is not stored by the second financial institution,

wherein the gaming server identifies a first account number of the first financial institution and a second account number of the second financial institution with at least the casino-issued player identifier, wherein the first account number and the second account number are not communicated via the gaming device,

wherein the gaming server initiates a withdrawal transaction with the first financial institution based at least on the first account number,

wherein the gaming server initiates a withdrawal transaction with the second financial institution based at least on the second account number,

wherein the gaming server receives the first amount and the second amount in a player account associated with the casino-issued player identifier; and

wherein the gaming server causes the gaming device to display the balance of the first account and the second account periodically.

47. A system for cashless gaming, the system comprising:

a gaming device; and

a gaming server having a processor, a memory, and a storage device, wherein the memory is coupled with the processor,

wherein the gaming server receives a casino-issued player identifier and a password from the gaming device at the gaming server,

wherein the gaming server receives a request from the gaming device at the gaming server to withdraw a first amount of funds from a first account of a first financial institution and a second amount of funds from a second account at a second financial institution, wherein the password is not stored by the first financial institution and is not stored by the second financial institution,

wherein the gaming server identifies a first account number of the first financial institution and a second account number of the second financial institution with at least the casino-issued player identifier, wherein the first account number and the second account number are not communicated via the gaming device,

wherein the gaming server initiates a withdrawal transaction with the first financial institution based at least on the first account number,

wherein the gaming server initiates a withdrawal transaction with the second financial institution based at least on the second account number,

wherein the gaming server receives the first amount and the second amount in a player account associated with the casino-issued player identifier; and

wherein the gaming server causes the gaming device to display the balance of the first account and the second account persistently.

48. The system of claim 47, wherein the display of the balance is preapproved by the player.

51. A gaming server for cashless gaming, the gaming server comprising:

a processor;

a memory coupled with the processor;

a storage device having instructions stored thereon which when executed, the processor;

receives a casino-issued player identifier and a password from a gaming device,

receives a single request from the gaming device to withdraw funds from multiple accounts at multiple financial institutions, wherein the password is not stored by any of the multiple financial institutions,

identifies account numbers associated with the multiple accounts based on the casino-issued player identifier, wherein the account numbers are not communicated via the gaming device,

initiates multiple withdrawal transactions based on the account numbers, and

receives the funds in a player account associated with the casino-issued player identifier.

52. The gaming server of claim 51, wherein the storage device has further instructions stored thereon which when executed, the gaming server:

sends an offer from the gaming server to the gaming device to purchase a goods with funds from the jackpot and the multiple accounts responsive to a win of a jackpot at the gaming device.

53. The gaming server of claim 52, wherein the offer is based at least on the casino-issued player identifier.

54. The gaming server of claim 52, wherein the storage device has further instructions stored thereon which when executed, the gaming server:

receives acceptance of the offer at the gaming server from the gaming device,

initiates a withdrawal transaction with a first financial institution responsive to the acceptance,

initiates a withdrawal transaction with a second financial institution responsive to the acceptance, and

transfers funds from the player account to a seller of the goods.

55. The gaming server of claim 51, wherein the storage device has further instructions stored thereon which when executed, the gaming server:

sends an offer from the gaming server to the gaming device to purchase the goods based on funds from the jackpot, and a third account of a third financial institution responsive to the withdrawal transaction with a financial institution being denied.

56. The gaming server of claim 51, wherein the storage device has further instructions stored thereon which when executed, the gaming server:

causes the gaming device to display the funds transferred from the multiple accounts to the player account.

74. The gaming server of claim 52, wherein the goods is as a pair of tickets to a show.

75. The gaming server of claim 52, wherein the goods is food.

57. A gaming server for cashless gaming, the system comprising:

a processor;

a memory coupled with the processor;

a storage device having instructions stored thereon which when executed, the processor;

receives an identifier from the gaming device, wherein the identifier is issued by a financial transaction provider,

receives a request from the gaming device to withdraw a first amount of funds from a first account and a second amount of funds from a second account, wherein the request includes a password, wherein a first account number associated with the first account and a second account number associated with the second account are not communicated via the gaming device

requests that the financial transaction provider initiate a withdrawal transaction with a first financial institution, wherein the requesting transfers the identifier from the gaming server to the financial transaction provider, and

requests that the financial transaction provider initiate a withdrawal transaction with a second financial institution, wherein the requesting transfers the identifier from the gaming server to the financial transaction provider.

58. The gaming server of claim 57, wherein the storage device has further instructions stored thereon which when executed, the gaming server:

sends an offer from the gaming server to the gaming device to purchase a service with funds from the jackpot, the first account, and the second account responsive to a win of a jackpot at the gaming device.

59. The gaming server of claim 58, wherein the offer is based at least on the identifier.

60. The gaming server of claim 58, wherein the storage device has further instructions stored thereon which when executed, the gaming server:

receives acceptance of the offer at the gaming server from the gaming device,

initiates a withdrawal transaction with the first financial institution responsive to the acceptance; and

initiates a withdrawal transaction with the second financial institution responsive to the acceptance.

61. The gaming server of claim 57, wherein the storage device has further instructions stored thereon which when executed, the gaming server:

sends an offer from the gaming server to the gaming device to purchase a service with funds from the jackpot, the first account, the second account, and a third account of a third financial institution responsive to the withdrawal transaction with the second financial institution being denied.

62. The gaming server of claim 57, wherein the storage device has further instructions stored thereon which when executed, the gaming server:

causes the gaming device to display the amount of funds transferred from the first account and the second account to the player account.

63. A gaming server for cashless gaming, the system comprising:

a processor;

a memory coupled with the processor;

a storage device having instructions stored thereon which when executed, the processor;

receives a casino-issued player identifier from the gaming device that is associated with an identifier issued by a financial transaction provider, receives a request from the gaming device to deposit a first amount of funds to a first account and a second amount of funds to a second account, wherein a first account number associated with first account and a second account number associated with the second account are not communicated via the gaming device,

causes the financial transaction provider to initiate a deposit transaction with a first financial institution, wherein the causing transfers the identifier from the gaming server to the financial transaction provider, and

causes the financial transaction provider to initiate a deposit transaction with a second financial institution based at least on the identifier, wherein the causing transfers the identifier from the gaming server to the financial transaction provider.

64. The gaming server of claim 63, wherein the storage device has further instructions stored thereon which when executed, the gaming server:

sends an offer from the gaming server to the gaming device to transfer funds from the player account to both the first account and the second account in response to a win of a jackpot at the gaming device, wherein the win of the jackpot is greater than a sum of a balance owed on the first account and the second account.

65. The gaming server of claim 63, wherein the storage device has further instructions stored thereon which when executed, the gaming server:

sends an offer from the gaming server to the gaming device to purchase a goods with funds from the jackpot, the first account, and the second account responsive to a win of a jackpot at the gaming device.

66. The gaming server of claim 63, wherein the offer is based at least on the casino-issued player identifier.

67. The gaming server of claim 63, wherein the storage device has further instructions stored thereon which when executed, the gaming server:

receives acceptance of the offer at the gaming server from the gaming device,

initiates a withdrawal transaction with the first financial institution responsive to the acceptance, and

initiates a withdrawal transaction with the second financial institution responsive to the acceptance.

68. The gaming server of claim 63, wherein the storage device has further instructions stored thereon which when executed, the gaming server:

sends an offer from the gaming server to the gaming device to purchase a goods with funds from the jackpot, the first account, the second account, and a third account of a third financial institution responsive to the withdrawal transaction with the second financial institution being denied.

69. The gaming server of claim 63, wherein the value of the goods are less than twice the value of the jackpot.

70. The gaming server of claim 63, wherein the first account is a credit card account, the second account is an ATM account, and the third account is a checking account.

71. A gaming server for cashless gaming, the gaming server comprising:

a processor;

a memory coupled with the processor;

a storage device having instructions stored thereon which when executed, the processor;

receives a casino-issued player identifier and a password from a gaming device,

receives a single request from the gaming device to withdraw funds from multiple accounts at multiple financial institutions, wherein the password is not stored by any of the multiple financial institutions,

identifies account numbers associated with the multiple accounts based on the casino-issued player identifier, wherein the account numbers are not communicated via the gaming device,

initiates multiple withdrawal transactions based on the account numbers,

receives the funds in a player account associated with the casino-issued player identifier, and

causes the gaming device to display the balance of the multiple accounts periodically.

causes the gaming device to display the balance of the multiple accounts periodically.

72. A gaming server for cashless gaming, the gaming server comprising:

a processor;

a memory coupled with the processor;

a storage device having instructions stored thereon which when executed, the processor;

receives a casino-issued player identifier and a password from a gaming device, receives a single request from the gaming device to withdraw funds from multiple accounts at multiple financial institutions, wherein the password is not stored by any of the multiple financial institutions,

identifies account numbers associated with the multiple accounts based on the casino-issued player identifier, wherein the account numbers are not communicated via the gaming device,

initiates multiple transactions based on the account numbers,

receives the funds in a player account associated with the casino-issued player identifier, and

causes the gaming device to display the balance of the multiple accounts periodically.

causes the gaming device to display the balance of the multiple accounts persistently.

73. The gaming server of claim 72, wherein the display of the balance is preapproved by the player.